Albums

Is this a perfect performance? No… it’s better. From the unsettled start to the wall-shaking end, it’s a proper live experience that will have many chomping at the bit to return to.

Named after and solely played on a telyn rawn, a mediaeval Welsh harp, Rhodri Davies reimagines a land of Welsh bardic poetry and horse cults.

A slow burn album that mingles confusion and clarity, despair and determination, “in brokenness we are whole,” she sings. Mary Chapin Carpenter will put you together again.

It may be among the most lyrically heavy-hearted and sonically spare releases you will hear, but as an introduction to the gorgeous music of Le Ren it is an absolutely essential listen.

A timeless and heady mix of traditions, the self-titled debut from The Wilderness Yet is an outstanding collection from three musicians at the top of their game.

Monmouth’s Twelve reflects both Fishclaw’s creative freedom and an ever expanding palette from one of the most exciting and original bands currently working within the loose framework of folk music.

Heart’s Ease provides a tantalising glimpse of what may still be to come from Shirley Collins, an album even better than its predecessor, an album as good as folk music gets.

Saskia’s latest offering ‘Are You Listening’ is a sublime and reflective album that will mesmerize the listener, and is always underpinned with optimism and hope for the future.

For their debut, The Magpies have produced an album that intrigues and delights, packed with variety and first-class musicianship. Not to be missed.

Bitter Better is a glorious, widescreen recording that is full of life. Even when contemplating its ups and downs, there’s an energy and vitality to the work.

Every new Blue Rose Code album has been a progression from the last, and ‘With Healings Of The Deepest Kind’ is no different. It should be on everybody’s end-of-year list.

The Devil Laughs is a mini-masterpiece. Rejoice in the fact that music of this magnitude is finally being released to a world that has never needed it more.